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Driving New Scrap Tire Markets through Innovation Announced

April 6, 2017

7th Scrap to Profit Tire Recycling Conference Announced

Innovation to drive new and improved scrap tire markets is a key theme for the 7th Scrap to Profit Conference scheduled for October 25-26, 2017 at The Inn at Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

The event is hosted by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), the Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation (STREF), and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of Sustainable Practices and Division of Solid Waste.

"The conference is an ideal education and networking forum for haulers, recyclers, processors, equipment suppliers, and state and county scrap tire program managers to help improve their understanding of scrap tire markets, and what it takes to innovate and create new markets," said John Sheerin, USTMA Director of End of Life Tire Programs.

"Tennessee is ripe for environmentally conscious waste tire market development given the state's already impressive portfolio of tire and auto manufacturers," Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau said. "We feel like we are on the verge of a paradigm shift for how Tennessee disposes of its tire and related materials – a shift that will not only protect our environment but benefit our economy by allowing the private sector to capitalize on what is currently an underutilized market."

"There is strong interest in scrap tire market innovations and opportunities to create new markets," Sheerin added. "It takes time and energy to innovate and produce new markets. This is hard work that demands patience, customer focus, and creativity. By focusing on innovation with presenters who have experience doing just that, we hope to encourage the collaboration and experimentation that it takes to grow new markets."

Topics to be discussed will be non-commercial and include market discussions of tire derived fuel, civil engineering, and ground rubber markets. Also, research and education needs for new markets and recent innovations in scrap tire uses will be addressed. An update on pyrolysis and gasification technologies is planned as well.

Additionally the Scrap Tire Work Group will meet on Tuesday, October 24th to discuss the overall progress of the U.S. state scrap tire markets and programs. The state-run Scrap Tire Work Group includes representatives from government, trade organizations, scrap tire publications, consultants, academia, and scrap tire recyclers.

Information about the conference is available at www.stref.org.

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 11 member companies operate 56 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 16 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTires.